Sunday, 15 February 2015

Player Ratings - Crystal Palace vs. Liverpool: 1-2

Another win, this time in the FA
Cup against Crystal Palace, where we've shaken off yet another demon of the
past. Where to now? The quarter finals. Every time Liverpool has reached this
stage of the competition, they've gone on to compete in the final. My player ratings
as follows:

Simon
Mignolet - 8: Man of the Match, for mine.A
performance that will be overshadowed by the fact he wasn't required to make
too many saves, per se. However, the pressure from set plays was more than he's
had to deal with for some time and he did it with aplomb. What a difference two
months makes.

Emre
Can - 6: Once again,
looks like Beckenbauer carrying the ball, however, defensively, he had some
indifferent moments throughout. Struggled in the air and was caught out several
times in the first half. I can see him moving into the midfield in the coming
weeks.

Martin
Skrtel - 6: At fault for
the first goal and gave away a clumsy free kick at the death. Despite his
earlier error, recovered well enough to deal with Crystal Palace's long ball
threat. Much improved from earlier in the season where he probably would've
wilted under similar circumstances. A testament to his mentality.

Mamadou
Sakho - 7: Back to his
normal self after two below par performances against Spurs and Everton, respectively.
Had Yannick Bolasie in his pocket for the most part and held steadfast along
with his two centre half partners during Palace's set plays. Underrated by
pundits. Not by the LFC faithful, though, as they chanted his name throughout.

Lazar
Markovic - 6: Had
plenty of the ball in the first half, but really couldn't do much with it, as
Palace parked the proverbial bus. Was substituted at half time for tactical purposes.

Alberto
Moreno - 6: Didn't see a lot of the ball
throughout the match. Did what he needed to do. His dance moves need improving,
but he has the right mentor in Daniel Sturridge to succeed on that front.

Jordan
Henderson - 7: Showed
good
leadership throughout and kept the ball moving, particularly in the first half.
His assist for Sturridge's goal was sublime. As always, worked hard off the
ball and helped Liverpool keep their shape, as Crystal Palace resorted to long
ball tactics.

Joe
Allen - 7: Quiet first half
an hour, but grew as the game wore on. His composure in the last 15 minutes
will go largely unnoticed, but he kept the engine room running to a point where
Crystal Palace didn't look like getting a foothold on the game.

Adam
Lallana - 7: His goal was instinctive and demonstrated exactly
where his attributes lie. He has wonderful game intelligence and for a guy
playing in a foreign position in the wing back role duringthe second half, coped brilliantly. Once
again, a tireless worker off the ball. A staple in the starting XI for mine.

Philippe
Coutinho - 6: Another
quiet game from the little maestro. Looks like he may be carrying a slight
injury. Crystal Palace's first half tactics negated his potential threat.

Daniel
Sturridge - 7: Frustrating
first half where most things didn't fall for him, including a solid penalty
claim.He
looked far more comfortable with a strike partner and took his goal with extremely
well. Coming along very nicely.

Substitutes:

Mario
Balotelli - 7:
His introduction opened up space for Daniel Sturridge. Balotelli was fantastic,
though. His ability to win a free kick resulted in the second goal which he was
unlucky not to score. With two solid performances in a row, Balotelli can be a
crucial element of Liverpool's attacking play from here until the season's end.

Rickie
Lambert - NR: Replaced
Coutinho and played up top on his own. Had one chance, but other than that, his
introduction was perhaps to deal with Palace's set plays.

Dejan
Lovren - NR: A
late inclusion on to shore up the defence and see the game through. Looks to be
slowly building some confidence with a lovely pass to Balotelli late on. Can
see him being reintroduced as a part of the back three in the coming weeks,
with Emre Can moving into the midfield.

Brendan
Rodgers - 8: Once
again, a great decision to introduce Balotelli so early in the game. A facet of
Brendan Rodger's management where he has received various criticism, it appears
that his decision making during matches is improving, along with his team.